Austrian writer-director Markus Schleinzer is currently in post-production with his third feature, Rose, a historical drama led by German actress Sandra Hüller. The film’s narrative is set in the 17th century, delving into complex themes of identity, deception and survival within a tight-knit community.

Set in the turbulent aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War, the film follows Rose, a mysterious soldier who arrives in a secluded Protestant village. Claiming to be the long-lost heir to a forsaken estate, Rose presents a document to authenticate the claim, sparking unease and suspicion among the tight-knit community. Desperate for a sense of belonging and happiness, Rose embarks on a quest for acceptance in a village bound by tradition and distrust. However, beneath the soldier’s façade lies a deeper secret: Rose is living under a false identity, a fabricated name and a concealed gender. Determined to achieve her goals, Rose is even willing to navigate the dangerous waters of an arranged marriage with Suzanna, the daughter of a prominent farmer. Because for someone who has come this far, anything is possible.

Leading the cast is Oscar-nominated thesp Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Justine Triet
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intervista: Barbara Albert
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intervista: Emily Atef
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Schleinzer, returning to the director’s chair for his third feature, continues to build on his reputation for crafting thought-provoking cinema. Known for his previous works Michael [+leggi anche:
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scheda film] and Angelo [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Markus Schleinzer
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intervista: Michael Haneke
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Rose is an Austrian-German co-production staged by Austrian producer Johannes Schubert for his company Schubert Füm, in collaboration with Karsten Stöter for Leipzig-based ROW Pictures, and producers Philipp Worm and Tobias Walker for Walker+Worm. The film has garnered significant support from numerous institutions, including the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM), the Deutscher Filmförderfonds, Beauftragte des Bundes für Kultur und Medien, Filmstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Filmförderungsanstalt, MOIN Filmförderung, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, FilmFörderFonds Bayern, Österreichisches Filminstitut, Filmfonds Wien, Filmförderung Niederösterreich and Eurimages. It is also a co-production with ZDF, ARTE and ORF. Its international sales are being managed by The Match Factory, and the film is already generating anticipation on the festival circuit.